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NASA Displays Part of Apollo 1 Spacecraft 50 Years After Tragedy – On January 27, 1967, astronauts Gus Grissom, Ed White, and Roger Chaffee lost their lives in a fire during a rehearsal for the launch of Apollo 1 when the capsule’s hatch was unable to open. Investigators found that the cause of the fire was most likely due to defective wiring. Since then, a quick-release hatch was placed on the redesigned capsule. Other changes were made which included fire-proofing the entire cockpit. 50 years later, NASA has decided to dedicate a new exhibit to Apollo 1 which will include the hatch from the fated capsule. Gus’s older son, Scott Grissom, stated, “This is way, way, way long overdue. But we’re excited about it.” He believes NASA was embarrassed about the accident and that is, “why they pretty much kept it in the closet as long as they have.” Chaffee’s widow, Martha, said, “I’m just so pleased that they finally decided to do something — visibly — to honor the three guys […] It’s time that they show the three who died in the fire appreciation for the work that they did.” A Day of Remembrance was held on January 26th, 2017 for the crews of Apollo 1, Columbia, and Challenger. The display honoring the fallen astronauts of Apollo 1 was revealed this week at the Kennedy Space Center. Source: Military Times Marine Veteran Creates One of the World’s Strongest Body Armors – RMA Armament, a company established by Marine vet Blake Waldrop, has developed armor that can “withstand six rounds of armor-piercing rifle ammunition,” which has yet to...

Department of Defense Requesting Biodegradable Ammunition – Due to the large amount of ammunition that is used by the US military, the Department of Defense (DoD) is requesting an alternative that is environmentally friendly to cut down on waste. The ammo would be loaded with special seeds for plants that could break down the debris. The ammo alternatives include, but are not limited to: “low velocity 40mm grenades; 60mm, 81mm, and 120mm mortars; shoulder launched munitions; 120mm tank rounds; and 155mm artillery rounds.” The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratroy (CRREL) has bioengineered seeds with a delayed germination, which would provide additional time for the ammo to biodegrade. DoD hopes to source materials like water bottles, plastic containers, and composite plastics to create the rest of the ammo. Source: Fox News Investigation Underway at Marine Base After 13 Children Diagnosed with Cancer – After multiple children from the same housing area in Beaufort, South Carolina were diagnosed with cancer, parents worry the cause may be linked to their previous homes at Laurel Bay. A study began in June 2015 to determine if there is, “an exposure pathway for potential health hazards,” in and around the Laurel Bay housing area, according to a spokesman from the Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort. The results will become public once the investigation has concluded, which the parents request to be fast tracked. Two Marine wives believe the cancer could be stemming from oil tanks that were buried near the houses. The tanks were last used in the 1980’s before being emptied out, but it was revealed in the...

Dr. David Shulkin Nominated for Next VA Secretary – President-Elect Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that he has chose Dr. David Shulkin, VA undersecretary, to become head of the Department of Veterans Affairs. If confirmed by the Senate, Dr. Shulkin will be the nominee with the most medical experience, as well as the first non-veteran to become secretary. Veterans of Foreign Wars National Commander Brian Duffy has expressed his approval for the nomination, along with another veteran group Got Your 6. The confirmation hearing has yet to be announced. Source: Military Times Court Travels to Veterans In New Recovery Program – The North Texas Regional Veterans Court is a three-phase program for veterans who are facing criminal charges as an alternative to the criminal court system. It requires substance-abuse treatment, regular drug and alcohol testing, intensive therapy, mentoring, as well as community service. If the veterans complete the program, they will have their criminal charges dismissed and arrest records erased. The court also travels to the veterans in 5 different counties near Dallas, TX for their hearings. Judge John Roach Jr. hopes that this system will be replicated in other rural areas where transportation can be a challenge. The National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics says that roughly 30 percent of veterans in the U.S. live in rural areas. The VA has made a plan to improve access for veterans, but the plan does not address veterans’ courts specifically. Multiple veterans’ courts allow for video court hearings, but Roach is the only identifiable judge who travels outside of his elected county for court. As of mid-December 2016, 52...

VFW Posts Open on College Campuses to Attract Younger Veterans – In hopes of encouraging younger veterans join the VFW, Veterans of Foreign Wars posts have been opened at Northeastern University in Boston and at University of Oregon. Many younger vets from Afghanistan and Iraq war are either inactive members or not joining the VFW at all. One veteran, Brian Fontaine, expressed his discomfort with the atmosphere of some VFW posts. “A lot of them were just in, like, really darky, smoky, kind of bar atmospheres. And there was a lot of, like, really kind of just angry and resentful people. And for me, […] it wasn’t just a very healthy environment to be in.” Some younger veterans are more interested in activism and group activities. It has been difficult for the Oregon location, as there are only two members and the students have school, finals, and other priorities that come before the VFW. For now, the VFW’s commander-in-chief, Brian Duffy, states that the organization will wait for more to join and expect many to become active members as they grow older. Source: NPR Man Sentenced for Stealing Deceased Veterans Benefits – 73-year-old John Ladd was sentenced in December 2016 to spend six months in home confinement and to pay full restitution to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for stealing almost $80,000 in federal veterans’ benefits. Ladd was the caretaker of a woman who died in 2009, but the VA was not properly notified when she passed. Benefits continued to be deposited in her account, and Ladd proceeded to write checks to himself and forged the woman’s signature,...

VA Opioid Crisis Still Progresses – Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald stated that veterans are 10 times as likely to abuse opioids compared to the average American, and this epidemic has changed the lives of thousands of veterans nationwide. According to a study by Castlight health Inc, 47% of opioid prescriptions are abused in Fayetteville, N.C.. Despite that figure, the VA health system there does not have a residential addiction treatment program, nor inpatient opioid detox facility. The closest inpatient facility is located in Salisbury, N.C. which is three hours away. Due to this fact, many veterans have turned to public and private health care providers. Over the years, the VA has taken action to assist veterans with addiction and opioid dependency. Nationwide, the VA has been able to reduce the number of patients on painkillers by about a third since 2012. The VA is also working to increase capacity nationwide in treatment facilities. Secretary McDonald stated in a recent speech, “We owe it to the nation’s veterans to help them end their dependence on opioids.” Source: Wall Street Journal Military Considers Capital Punishment for First Time Since 1961 – According to CNN, Judge J. Thomas Marten of the US District Court for the District of Kansas stated that the previous stay of execution for Ronald Gray, a death row inmate since 1988, is “no longer in effect,” and denies the request to prevent the military from carrying out the death sentence. Gray was convicted and condemned to death for the rape and murder of several women. In 2008, former President George W. Bush signed a warrant approving the...